Winter Classic is still just a game -- that counts

Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg (40), of Sweden, shoots a puck during practice on the outdoor rink for the NHL Winter Classic hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013. The game is scheduled for New Year's Day. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

As much of a spectacle the Winter Classic is, there are two points on the line Wednesday when Detroit hosts the Toronto Maple Leafs, their new division rival.

“They’re supposed to count,” Babcock said. “That’s why you’re in the league. (The league) wants you all to be the same. We were really fortunate in Detroit, we didn’t have to get involved in that equation for a long time. Now we’re the same as everybody else and it’s a grind. It’s a grind night in and night out.”

The Wings, who are 3-5-2 in their last 10 games, and Leafs are tied with 45 points each.

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“We’re on getting the two points,” Niklas Kronwall said. “We’ve been talking about getting traction, get rolling, instead of win one, lose one like it has been for some time now. We have to find consistency in our game. We have a job to do and that’s trying to figure out how to win games, which is something we haven’t been doing lately. We want to turn that around as soon as possible.”

Many of the Wings participated in the outdoor game at Wrigley Field in 2009.

“Before the last game I was a little skeptical going in,” Kronwall said. “I thought it was going to be cold and we would be freezing out there. Once the game was over it was like, ‘hey let’s do it again.’ That’s how much fun it was. Anytime you get a chance to skate outdoors nowadays it really is a treat.”

Detroit beat the Chicago Blackhawks in that game, 6-4.

“I’ve heard some talks this shouldn’t be a division game, maybe it should be East against West, but this is the way it should be,” Henrik Zetterberg said. “It is two very important points on the line. You just have to go out and play a little different game.

“You can easily think this is an All Star Game, but it’s actually a real game,” Zetterberg continued. “It’s nice that we were a part of one before. We know what to expect, it’s just double the crowd and here we go.”

Despite his struggles, Jimmy Howard will be in goal for Detroit. He gave up five goals on 28 shots in Monday’s 6-4 loss to the Nashville Predators.

“He never got hit, that’s a tough thing for the goaltender,” Babcock said. “So the great thing about Howie, he’s a world class goalie. He’s always been good. He usually bounces back. We couldn’t score enough last night. That’s just the way the game is sometimes. But I’ve been around a lot of good players over the years and they normally bounce back. Here’s a great opportunity for him. I wasn’t telling him no matter what happened last night, he was in there. I thought our team really battled for him. I thought our team tried to get them out of the situation they were in. We didn’t have enough in the end to get it done.”

Howard is just 6-9-7 this season with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage.

“I don’t even remember what happened (Monday) night,” Howard said. “(Tuesday) was just about going out there and getting another practice and enjoying the whole festivities. It’s going to be a lot of fun and it’s going to be a great game.

“It’s a game we grew up playing, a game we cherish dearly,” Howard added. “I’m just thankful I’m able to get back for this game and share it with lots of friends and family. It’s just like any other game, it’s going to take a full team effort. I don’t think it comes down to one guy out there.”

The home team has one win in the five previous games outdoors and Babcock has a theory why.

“Well, let’s just go with what’s going to happen in my house,” Babcock said. “So my wife’s maiden name is Dunham, and my kids say nobody parties like a Dunham. So you can just imagine it in my house tonight. That’s why a couple blocks down the road I got myself a hotel room, because when 11 comes, they’re not going to care that the Winter Classic is tomorrow. They’re still going to be on time.

“So the home team has won one game, we’ve gone through this with our players,” Babcock continued. “They know. There is an opportunity in our schedule for you to have a heck of a New Year’s Eve party on New Year’s Day. Make a decision, but if you’re counting on your family to do it for you, I don’t like your chances. That’s my theory.”

Send comments to chuck.pleiness@macombdaily.com and visit his blog at redwingsfront.wordpress.com